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"‘Tonight, in the city of David, a Savior is born, 'tis Christ the Lord.'"

"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church, which is, of course, quite a different thing."
-Bishop Fulton J. Sheen
Placating terrorists, meeting with dictators, compassion for murderers... but no humanity for the unborn... incredible.
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Devout Catholic

Registered: 07-2005
Posts: 1370
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Tuesday April 15 2008


"You refuse to believe because you are not My sheep." —John 10:26
 

Some leaders in the Church do not believe in Jesus. They bear "the title 'brother' " and enjoy the status within the Church, but they do not live holy lives, nor do they intend to repent (see 1 Cor 5:11). They are false brothers and sisters (Gal 2:4). Satan makes use of their position in the Church to lead people away from their "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3, 13-14).

How can you discern if someone is a false Christian and thereby prevent him or her from influencing you and others? (1 Cor 5:11)

    * They "belong to the world...theirs is the language of the world and...the world listens to them" (1 Jn 4:5). How does their talk compare to Ephesians 5:3-4?
    * They don't acknowledge Jesus Christ as come in the flesh (1 Jn 4:2-3). How do they act in the presence of the Eucharist? Do they acknowledge the Virgin Birth and Mary? Is their devotion real or merely lip-service? (Mt 15:8)
    * They do not produce good fruit (see Mt 7:20)."You will know them by their deeds" (Mt 7:16). Do they bear the undeniable fruit of holiness, faithfulness, and the fruit of the Spirit? (see Gal 5:22) Have many come to conversion or lasting faith through their leadership?
    * They don't use the sacrament of Confession.
    * They rebel against or even leave the Church (1 Jn 2:19).

"Do not be led astray any longer. 'Bad company corrupts good morals' " (1 Cor 15:33).
 
Prayer: Jesus, may false Christians come to know you as Lord, Savior, and God, repent deeply, and bear lasting fruit for You.
Promise: "No one shall snatch [My sheep] out of My hand." —Jn 10:28
Praise: After realizing she was in the choir to glorify herself and not God, Maria took some time off to re-orient.


"My sheep hear my voice, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand"

Scripture: John 10:22-30

22 It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." 25 Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness to me; 26 but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; 28 and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one."

Meditation: How secure is your faith and trust in God? Scripture describes God’s word as a “lamp for our feet and a light for our steps” (Psalm 119:105). The Jewish Feast of the Dedication is also called the Festival of Lights or Hanakkuh. This feast was held in late December, near the time when Christians celebrate the feast of Christmas. This is the time of year when the day is shortest and the night longest. Jesus used this occasion to declare that he is the true light of the world (John 8:12). In his light we can see who God truly is and we can find the true path to heaven.

Jesus speaks of the tremendous trust he has in God his Father and the tremendous trust we ought to have in him because he is our good shepherd (John 10:11). Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against prey, such as wolves, and often get lost and bewildered without a guide. That is why shepherds literally live with their sheep out in the open field and mountain sides. The shepherd guards his sheep from the dangers of storms, floods, and beasts of prey. The shepherd leads his sheep to the best places for feeding and the best streams for drinking. He finds the best place for their rest and safety at night. The sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd and heed his call when he leads them to safe pasture and rest. We are like sheep – we become easy prey to forces which can destroy us – sin, Satan, and a world opposed to God and his people. Jesus not only frees us from Satan's snares and the grip of sin, he leads us to the best of places where we can feed on the "word of life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He will lead them to the best of places – everlasting peace, joy, and fellowship with God and his people.

In this present life we will encounter trials and difficulties. We can face them alone or we can follow Jesus, the true shepherd, who will bring us safely through every difficulty to the place of peace and security with God. Do you listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and heed his commands?
"Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who secures what is best for us. In you I place all my hope and trust. Open my ears to hear your voice and follow your commands."

Psalm 87:1-7

1 On the holy mount stands the city he founded;
2 the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwelling places of Jacob.
3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God. [Selah]
4 Among those who know me I mention Rahab and Babylon; behold, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia -- "This one was born there," they say.
5 And of Zion it shall be said, "This one and that one were born in her"; for the Most High himself will establish her.
6 The LORD records as he registers the peoples, "This one was born there." [Selah]
7 Singers and dancers alike say, "All my springs are in you."

Last edited by SHJIHM, Apr/15/2008, 12:20 pm


---
"My Sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.


Apr/15/2008, 12:18 pm Link to this post Send Email to SHJIHM   Send PM to SHJIHM
 


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